At New River, birds are spooked to help save aircraft

Robbie Withington stands alongside the intake port of a C12 aircraft at the Marines' New River Air Station as he discusses the danger of bird strikes. Photo by John Althouse/The Daily News

Jacksonville Daily News

Published: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 1:45 a.m.

Editor's note: This article is part of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Marine aviation, which began on May 22, 1912, when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported to Annapolis, Md., for flight training.

The Bird/Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program at the Marine Corps' New River Air Station is helping save planes, lives and money.

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the average cost of a damaging Navy aircraft wildlife strike is more than $300,000. Robbie Withington, a wildlife biologist who oversees the BASH program at New River, said BASH aims to reduce the threat of aircraft striking birds and animals, which saves the Marine Corps plenty of money, especially when one V-22 Osprey is valued at nearly $80 million.

Withington is an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, which implemented the program at New River five years ago – just before the “Miracle on the Hudson” crash, when a US Airways jetliner crashed into the Hudson River after striking a flock of birds during takeoff.

The Hudson crash brought national attention to the bird strike problem facing both civilian and military aviators. Withington's job is to inform pilots of the hazards in the air, encourage them to report all birds that strike the plane – even if the strike does not cause damage – and to control the habitat and harass the birds in a way that makes them not want to live on or near New River Air Station.

Withington said the bird that poses the largest threat to aircraft at New River is the ring-billed gull. Flocks roost on the New River every evening and fly to the Onslow County Landfill to feed during the day. The birds fly back to the river in the evening on a path that crosses almost directly over New River Air Station. Withington said 10,000 to 12,000 of the gulls fly back and forth every day.

Withington said that the birds will also “stop and hang out on the runways” while they're making their way over to the landfill for breakfast. When the birds stop on the flightline, Withington's primary job becomes harassing the birds.

To do that, Withington will chase the birds, shoot firework-like pyrotechnics at them or unleash his playful chocolate Labrador retriever, which enjoys chasing the birds for sport.

Withington also takes preventive measures to keep the birds away by altering the base's surrounding habitat and managing the types of vegetation planted around the flightline to make sure none of it is enticing to the birds.

“Vegetation management is the first and easiest step we can take to not have birds here,” Withington said. “But birds are very adaptable to their changing environments ... and there's always going to be something that makes the birds want to come.”

In addition to Withington's prevention measures, the pilots learn various techniques to avoid hitting birds while flying. One involves knowing that birds dive down when a plane approaches, so pilots can anticipate the movement and avoid the bird accordingly.

Last year, New River had about 30 reported air strikes – both minor and damaging strikes. Withington said the numbers have increased over the past few years, but added that's likely because pilots are becoming more aware of the importance of reporting even minor air strikes.

<p><i>Editor's note: This article is part of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Marine aviation, which began on May 22, 1912, when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported to Annapolis, Md., for flight training.</i></p><p>The Bird/Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program at the Marine Corps' New River Air Station is helping save planes, lives and money.</p><p>The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the average cost of a damaging Navy aircraft wildlife strike is more than $300,000. Robbie Withington, a wildlife biologist who oversees the BASH program at New River, said BASH aims to reduce the threat of aircraft striking birds and animals, which saves the Marine Corps plenty of money, especially when one V-22 Osprey is valued at nearly $80 million.</p><p>Withington is an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, which implemented the program at New River five years ago – just before the “Miracle on the Hudson” crash, when a US Airways jetliner crashed into the Hudson River after striking a flock of birds during takeoff.</p><p>The Hudson crash brought national attention to the bird strike problem facing both civilian and military aviators. Withington's job is to inform pilots of the hazards in the air, encourage them to report all birds that strike the plane – even if the strike does not cause damage – and to control the habitat and harass the birds in a way that makes them not want to live on or near New River Air Station.</p><p>Withington said the bird that poses the largest threat to aircraft at New River is the ring-billed gull. Flocks roost on the New River every evening and fly to the Onslow County Landfill to feed during the day. The birds fly back to the river in the evening on a path that crosses almost directly over New River Air Station. Withington said 10,000 to 12,000 of the gulls fly back and forth every day.</p><p>Withington said that the birds will also “stop and hang out on the runways” while they're making their way over to the landfill for breakfast. When the birds stop on the flightline, Withington's primary job becomes harassing the birds.</p><p>To do that, Withington will chase the birds, shoot firework-like pyrotechnics at them or unleash his playful chocolate Labrador retriever, which enjoys chasing the birds for sport.</p><p>Withington also takes preventive measures to keep the birds away by altering the base's surrounding habitat and managing the types of vegetation planted around the flightline to make sure none of it is enticing to the birds.</p><p>“Vegetation management is the first and easiest step we can take to not have birds here,” Withington said. “But birds are very adaptable to their changing environments ... and there's always going to be something that makes the birds want to come.”</p><p>In addition to Withington's prevention measures, the pilots learn various techniques to avoid hitting birds while flying. One involves knowing that birds dive down when a plane approaches, so pilots can anticipate the movement and avoid the bird accordingly.</p><p>Last year, New River had about 30 reported air strikes – both minor and damaging strikes. Withington said the numbers have increased over the past few years, but added that's likely because pilots are becoming more aware of the importance of reporting even minor air strikes.</p>